Doctor Strange Trailer, Release Date: Benedict Cumberbatch Speaks Up about "Extraordinary" Character In New Featurette

By Trisha Cerdena
Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'
Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the titular role in Marvel's 'Doctor Strange.' Photo: YouTube

Marvel has unveiled a new international ‘Doctor Strange’ trailer along with a new featurette that features lead star Benedict Cumberbatch as he opens up about the transformation his character goes through when he stars to train with the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) for the mystic arts.

When ‘Doctor Strange’ hits cinemas in November, viewers will get to see Cumberbatch as he transforms from neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange into his superhero alter ago, Doctor Strange aka the Sorcerer Supreme.

“Strange is incredibly arrogant, brilliant, sort of extraordinary. And his need to control fates, to control destiny and, in particular death, has brought him to the height of his profession as a neurosurgeon,” the actor says.

Cumberbatch’s character then "discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions" after getting into a serious car accident.

“[His training] brings out this spiritual dimension which he never knew was possible and he soon realizes he’s potentially someone who can help on a grander scale than he’d ever imagined actually existed,” the 40-year-old actor added.

The ‘Sherlock’ star previously opened up about filming the movie, describing his experiences that had been awkward at first.

“I felt really self-conscious. But, then, by the end, it was great. It’s like anything, you just have to experiment,” he recalled.

The concept art made for the ‘Doctor Strange’ movie was explained by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, sharing that a 60’s flashback will bring on a significant impact on the upcoming film.

“When this comic appeared in the early ’60s, it really informed, in a way that is pretty amazing, a lot of the psychedelic ’60s as we know it,” Feige explained, while adding, “The stuff they [Marvel] were doing inspired all those people who were doing mind-expansion experiments at the time. So, that’s inherent to the property.”

Cumberbatch is joined by an all-star cast, such as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Swinton takes on the role of the Ancient One, known as a mystical character who will guide Doctor Strange while in training. In the comic books, such character was portrayed as Tibetan, sparking criticisms of “whitewashing” since the studio’s announcement last year that Swinton was chosen for the role.

The 55-year-old actress responded to such issue, saying: "Well, it's not actually an Asian character - that's what I need to tell you about it. I wasn't asked to play an Asian character, you can be very well assured of that."

Based on a script penned by John Spaihts (‘Prometheus’), the upcoming Marvel movie is helmed by Scott Derrickson, who previously worked on ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ and ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose.’

The ‘Doctor Strange’ premiere has been set for Nov. 4, 2016.

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